- Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen (born November 16, 1983 in Helsinki, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted 2nd overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. In 2001, as the youngest goalie in the SM-liiga, he earned the league's playoff MVP award, while he was playing for Jokerit. During the 2003-2004 NHL season he played four games for the Thrashers, winning all four of them and posting one shutout.
- Valtteri Filppula
Valtteri Filppula (born March 20, 1984 in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward.
- Tony Salmelainen
Tony Salmelainen (born August 8, 1981 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers as their second-round pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Salmelainen started his ice hockey career as a junior player in the Blues organisation, and moved to HIFK for his SM-liiga debut in the 1999-2000 season. In an eventful debut, Salmelainen scored his first goal in his very first shift, and was injured later in the game.
- Mikko Lehtonen
Mikko Lehtonen (born April 1, 1987 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish ice hockey winger. Currently he plays for Espoo Blues in SM-liiga. He has represented Finland in World U18 Championships in 2005 and in World U20 Championships in 2006 and 2007. He was drafted by Boston Bruins on the 3rd round (83rd selection) of 2005 NHL Entry Draft. On May 31, 2007, the Boston Bruins signed Lehtonen to an entry-level contract. His nickname is "Bambi".
- Janne Niskala
Janne Niskala is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman, currently with the Nashville Predators in NHL. He was born in Sweden but is of Finnish nationality.
- Tim Stapleton
Tim Stapleton (born July 9, 1982 in La Grange, Illinois) is an American professional ice hockey forward. After two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers, Stapleton represented the University of Minnesota-Duluth for four seasons, where he led the team in scoring as a freshman and had back-to-back 40 point seasons. After a brief stint with the Portland Pirates of the AHL, he signed with Jokerit of the Finnish SM-liiga, completing a tryout which led to a one-year contract.
- Ville Nieminen
Ville Nieminen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward for the Malmö Redhawks of the Allsvenskan (icehockey) in Sweden. Nieminen started his professional hockey career in Tappara in the Finnish SM-liiga, in the 1994-95 season. He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche as their third-round pick, #78 overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Nieminen spent three seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, …
- Doug Shedden
Douglas Arthur "Doug" Shedden (born April 29, 1961 in Wallaceburg, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. Shedden, who played the position of centre, spent eight seasons playing in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Quebec Nordiques and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was drafted 93rd overall by the Penguins in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
- Tommi Santala
Tommi Santala (born June 27, 1979 in Helsinki, Finland) is a Finnish ice hockey player currently part of the Vancouver Canucks organization. Santala started his pro career in Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga in the 1998-99 season. After a total of four seasons with HPK, Santala moved to the Thrashers' organisation for the 2003-04 NHL season. Santala divided his time between 50 games in the AHL Chicago Wolves and 33 NHL games. He spent the 2004-05 NHL lockout with the Wolves.
- Vesa Viitakoski
Vesa Viitakoski (born February 13, 1971 in Lappeenranta, Finland) is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and SM-Liiga. He played for SaiPa, Tappara, Ilves, and Calgary Flames.
- Ville Peltonen
Ville Peltonen (born May 24, 1973 in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks as their third-round pick, #58 overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
- Jani Rita
Jani Rita is a professional ice hockey winger. Despite limited NHL experience, Rita has played extensively in the American Hockey League and in the SM-liiga in his native Finland. He played his first seasons of pro hockey for Jokerit, Helsinki, and was drafted 13th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Rita played for HPK in the SM-liiga during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, winning the bronze medal. That season he was awarded the Raimo Kilpiö trophy, …
- Kari Jalonen
Kari Jalonen (b. January 6, 1960 in Oulu, Finland) is a former professional ice hockey center. He played parts of two seasons at the NHL level, with the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, but is best known for his time in SM-liiga and with the Finn national team. Jalonen represented Finland internationally on nine occasions, including with the silver-medal winning 1980 World Juniors team and the bronze-medal winning 1986 World Championship team.
- Bernd Brückler
Bernd Brückler is an Austrian professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers as their fifth-round pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, #150 overall. Brückler started his hockey career with Graz EC in the Austrian league, and has represented the Tri-City Storm and the University of Wisconsin in North America. After short stints with several minor league teams, …
- Tuomas Tarkki
Tuomas Tarkki is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. After playing junior hockey with Lukko, including three SM-liiga games as a backup, Tarkki studied at the Northern Michigan University and played four years of college hockey, being named the top goalie in the NCAA in 2005. After college hockey he spent a year in the minor leagues before returning to Finland to replace the injured Andy Chiodo as the Kärpät starting goaltender.
- Tony Virta
Tony Virta is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild as their fourth-round pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Virta is currently playing for Jokerit in the SM-liiga. On December 5, 2005, Virta received a serious knee injury from a failed hip check against him in a game against Ilves, but recovered to play in the last games of the season. In the summer of 2001 did Virta signed with Färjestads BK, …
- Kimmo Kuhta
Kimmo Kuhta (born June 19, 1975 in Helsinki, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. Apart from spending the 2005-06 season in the Swiss league, Kuhta has represented HIFK in the SM-liiga since 1998.
- Niklas Bäckström
Niklas Bäckström is a Finnish ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. Bäckström was the third goaltender for Team Finland in the 2006 Winter Olympics, but did not play any games. In the Finnish SM-liiga he played for HIFK, SaiPa and Kärpät. Bäckström led Kärpät to two consecutive league titles in 2004 and 2005. Bäckström signed a one-year contract with the Wild on June 1, 2006.
- Jari Kurri
Jari Pekka Kurri (born May 18 1960, in Helsinki, Finland) is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. During his career in the NHL he played for the Edmonton Oilers, L.A. Kings, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. He began his pro career with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga, played his first nine and a half NHL seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, …
- Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen (born April 1, 1983 in Kalajoki, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. Jussi is well know for being a shootout specialist. He can be seen pulling some unique dekes, such as the one handed slide in goal -- also known as "The Paralyzer" -- in shootouts to help his team. He set an NHL record by scoring in 9 straight overtime shootout attempts in the 2005-2006 NHL season.
- Sami Helenius
Sami Helenius (born January 22, 1974 in Helsinki, Finland) is an ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames as their fifth-round pick, #102 overall, in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Helenius is 6'5 in height and 240 in weight. Helenius started his professional career in Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga in 1992, and made his way to North America for the 1994-95 season, and after spending five years mostly in the minor leagues, …
- Kai Nurminen
Kai Nurminen (born March 29, 1969, in Turku, Finland) is a Finnish ice hockey forward, currently with TPS in the Finnish SM-liiga. Nurminen started his hockey career playing for TPS in SM-liiga. He has also played two seasons in the Swedish Elitserien. In 1996 he was contracted by Los Angeles Kings in NHL. After only one season in NHL with 67 matches played (scoring 16 goals and 11 assists) he went back to Scandinavia.
- Andy Chiodo
Andy Chiodo (born April 25, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a professional ice hockey goaltender. He was originally selected by the New York Islanders in the sixth round, 166th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The Islanders were unable to sign him, however, and he was made draft-eligible again for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The Pittsburgh Penguins chose him in that draft, 199th overall in the seventh round. Prior to playing in the Ontario Hockey League, …
- Hannes Hyvönen
Hannes Hyvönen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks as their ninth-round pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Hyvönen started out in the Kärpät junior team, and started playing in the SM-liiga with TPS. After playing on a number of SM-liiga teams, Hyvönen departed for North America for the 2001-2002 season, which he mostly spent with the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Barons. He was next signed by the Florida Panthers, …
- Kimmo Kapanen
Kimmo Kapanen (born September 12, 1974, in Vantaa, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for KalPa in the Finnish SM-liiga, currently on loan to HV71 in the Swedish Elitserien for the remainder of season 2006-07. Kapanen is the younger brother of Sami Kapanen who plays in the NHL.
- Olli Malmivaara
Olli Malmivaara (born March 13 1982 in Kajaani, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks as their fourth-round pick, #117 overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Malmivaara played junior hockey in Jokerit and made his SM-liiga debut there; in 2003 he signed with SaiPa and spent two years with that team. In 2006 he signed with the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League.
- Jukka Jalonen
Jukka Jalonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey coach and former player. Jalonen has coached several Finnish ice hockey teams in SM-Liiga: Ilves (1992-1995), Lukko (1996-1997), and HPK (2001-), and also Vaasan Sport in Mestis (known as I-divisioona at that time). He also coached the Newcastle RiverKings and Newcastle Jesters in the British Ice Hockey Superleague during seasons 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.
- Scott Langkow
Scott Langkow (born April 21, 1975, in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently representing Jokerit in the SM-liiga
- Sinuhe Wallinheimo
Sinuhe Wallinheimo is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently represents JYP in the SM-liiga.
- Rem Murray
Rem Murray (born October 9, 1972 in Stratford, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey center who plays for HIFK Helsinki in the SM-liiga. He was selected in the 6th round, 135th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.
- Tuomas Pihlman
Tuomas Pihlman (born 13 November, 1982 in Espoo, Finland) is a professional ice hockey player in the Finnish SM-liiga side JYP. Tuomas Pihlman was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 2nd round, 48th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He played a total of 15 NHL games over three seasons, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2006-07.
- Lasse Kukkonen
Lasse Kukkonen (born September 18, 1981 in Oulu, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He plays for the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL
- Mikko Jokela
Mikko Jokela (born March 4, 1980 in Lappeenranta, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He played one game in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks in 2003. Jokela started his ice hockey career with the KalPa junior team, and was selected 96th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils He represented various SM-liiga teams before he signed with the Devils for the 2001-02 NHL season.
- Hannu Aravirta
Hannu Aravirta (born 26 March 1953 in Savonlinna) is a Finnish ice hockey player and an ice hockey coach for the Finnish national men's team and SM-liiga.
- Markus Kankaanperä
Markus Kankaanperä is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks as their eighth-round pick, #218 overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Kankaanperä currently plays for Jokerit in the SM-liiga.
- Jori Lehterä
Jori Lehterä is a Finnish professional ice hockey center. Lehterä dominated the Jokerit junior team in scoring, and earned himself a place on the team's SM-liiga roster in the fall of 2006. He is a skilled offensive center who is showing signs of becoming an excellent playmaker. Lehterä was selected to represent Finland at the 2006 World Under-20's Championships in Sweden, but couldn't make the team due to an injury.
- Jesse Joensuu
Jesse Joensuu is an ice hockey player. Joensuu was selected 60th overall in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. He is currently playing for his hometown team Ässät in the Finnish SM-liiga.
- Tomek Valtonen
Tomek Valtonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings as their second-round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, #56 overall. Valtonen started his pro career in Ilves in 1997, and played his next season with the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL, and returned to the SM-liiga in 1999 and represented Jokerit until 2007, when he signed a two-year contract with Södertälje SK. He has won the SM-liiga championship, …
- Urpo Ylönen
Urpo Ylönen is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the SM-liiga. He played for TuTo Turku and TPS. He was inducted into the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
- Pasi Häkkinen
Pasi Häkkinen is a Finnish ice hockey goaltender. Häkkinen started his pro career with SaiPa in the Finnish SM-liiga, and was the backup goalie for Jokerit for the 2004-2005 season, when he won the silver medal with the club. He was their #1 goaltender in the previous season, and has signed with a Danish team for the 2005-2006 season. Häkkinen has also spent a year with the Nottingham Panthers in the British league.